We live longer and weigh more – and that’s why more Americans are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Find out how to lower your risk...

At the USC Keck Medical Center in Los Angeles, doctors like endocrinologist Andy Lee, D.O., are helping people eliminate their risks of diabetes.

“People who have type 2 diabetes or are borderline can do a lot more than they think to reverse and control the condition,” he says.

The key is to start early, he says. Take the diagnosis seriously. Get educated. Then you can begin managing diabetes.

In this exclusive Lifescript interview, Lee explains how women with diabetes can master the disease.

What’s the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and how does a physician know which type a patient has?Type 1 is an autoimmune disease, in which the body’s antibodies attack the cells in the pancreas that create [the hormone] insulin [which helps the body process blood glucose]. In type 2, the pancreas wears out because cells have become resistant to insulin.

Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are the result of the pancreas not making enough insulin to manage a person’s blood sugar.

A blood test determines whether the pancreas is producing insulin. In a type 2 diabetic, some naturally occurring insulin will always be present – just not enough. In a type 1 patient, the pancreas doesn’t produce any.

Why does excess weight so often cause type 2 diabetes? It’s not just having fat, but where it’s stored. Fat in the belly puts more fat around abdominal organs, such as the liver, and that inhibits an organ’s response to insulin. That’s why even a little weight loss helps.

Then why do some thin people develop the condition? There is a genetic component. Lifestyle and some viral infections that affect glucose metabolism also play a role.

What obstacles must women with type 2 diabetes address to manage their condition? Denial and believing that the condition is temporary. Many think a few changes in routine will make diabetes go away, but it won’t.

Ignoring the disease or letting it go unchecked increases the risk of developing complications, including heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, vision loss and amputations.

In the early stages, treatment of diabetes type 2 and lifestyle changes can help those with the disease stay under control and live long, healthy lives.

Which is more important for managing type 2 diabetes symptoms – diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes? Or medication?Lifestyle changes are huge and really underrated. With the proper lifestyle changes, I’ve seen many patients on 200 units to 300 units of insulin a day, or more, go to zero. To get there takes effort and motivation.

But, if the body isn’t responding, we add medication to the mix.

Are women more prone to developing diabetes than men?We used to think so, but studies show that type 2 diabetes is equally distributed between men and women. At present, 13 million men 20 years or older (11.8%) have the condition, compared to 12.6 million women (10.8%), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.)

Women seem to be diagnosed more often because they see their doctors regularly. The condition gets picked up sooner and more frequently.

What’s the average age of onset?As obesity rates rise, the age of onset is dropping. More 30- and 40-year-old men and women are being diagnosed, which used to be rare. The peak age at diagnosis is between 50 and 55, according to the CDC.

What’s the first step in controlling and managing type 2 diabetes symptoms?Diet. A carefully controlled diet can reverse problems associated with diabetes and its progression, and get that person on a healthy track that will reduce their risks of complications.

The American Diabetes Association endorses a low-carbohydrate, low-glycemic diet in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Carbs turn into blood sugar, which needs insulin to be processed.

Eating fewer carbs reduces the need for insulin and helps take the load off the pancreas. Plus, it aids weight loss.

Protein intake is also important, but don’t overdo it. Excessive protein can stress your kidneys, where byproducts of protein get broken down.

How should exercise factor in? Diet is more important than exercise, but a combination is best for managing type 2 diabetes symptoms. Exercise helps keep off weight you lose from dieting and may even steer you toward more healthy foods for fuel. But go easy and check with your physician before you get too ambitious.

All diabetics have a greater risk for heart attacks. According to the CDC, the risk for cardiovascular disease, which causes heart attacks and strokes, is two to four times greater in diabetics than in people without diabetes.

So, once you have your doctor’s OK, consider low-intensity, long-endurance activities like walking. Aim for 30 minutes of aerobic exercise five days a week.

What other lifestyle changes should women strive for?Regularity – it helps the body maintain a steady ebb and flow of metabolism. Eat three meals a day at the same time. Falling asleep and waking up at the same time also gets your body into a rhythm. Irregular eating and sleep patterns throw the body into constant jet lag.

Will I need medication?That depends. If you get blood sugar levels to hover at or below 7 [A1C blood test] with diet and exercise, probably not.

The next option is an oral medication called Metformin. It helps control blood sugar and aids weight loss. Some diabetics require more help to balance their blood sugar levels, and may need insulin alone or in addition to Metformin.

But, if your physician prescribes insulin to achieve that goal, you may become insulin resistant and need more down the road. Always try to take the least amount of insulin you need to avoid weight gain, which exacerbates the condition.

How can women stay motivated to stick with lifestyle changes?The thought of injecting insulin daily for managing type 2 diabetes symptoms may be the biggest motivator. It involves pricking your finger several times a day to test blood sugar levels, which restricts activities.

Insulin causes people to gain and retain weight and be hungrier, which adds fuel to the fire. Insulin also makes people more insulin resistant, so they need more insulin — the proverbial Catch 22.

Because insulin is a growth hormone, it increases risks for developing cancerous tumors.

Lowering blood sugar with lifestyle changes and a minimum of insulin costs less and is better for the patient.

What other hopeful advances are on the horizon?Gastric bypass and lap-band surgeries. Data shows that diabetes may go away after these procedures. However, the surgical risks are substantial.

Myth vs. Fact: How Much Do You Know About Diabetes?In the United States alone, 23.6 million people have diabetes. And 5.6 million of them don’t even know it. Unfortunately, misinformation about diabetes is rampant – and mixing up the facts about this disease can have dire consequences. Are you confused about diabetes? Test your knowledge with our diabetes quiz.

The information contained on www.lifescript.com(the "Site") is provided for informational purposes only and is not meant to substitute for advice from your doctor or health-care professional. This information should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication. Always seek the advice of a qualified health-care professional regarding any medical condition. Information and statements provided by the site about dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Lifescript does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, third-party products, procedures, opinions, or other information mentioned on the Site. Reliance on any information provided by Lifescript is solely at your own risk.